Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva- Introduction, Appearance and Activities:

Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva- Introduction, Appearance and Activities:

Overview:

Discourses associated with activities of the Lord, in which the glories of His devotees are also found, are extremely pleasing to the devotees. The divine act of Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva to protect His dearest Bhakta Prahlada is one such portrayal. Read more to understand how the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the reservoir of all pleasure Sri Vishnu established dharma by annihilation of Hiraṇyakaśipu.

Introduction

Jaya and Vijaya were two gatekeepers at Vaikunthaloka, who were cursed by Sanandana and other great sages (Lord Brahma’s sons) to take birth in the material world, in the family of most sinful asuras. Because they were captivated by the material qualities of ignorance and ego, and someone like that is unfit to live at the shelter of Vishnu’s lotus feet.

After the sages calmed down, they blessed them with a condition that Jaya and Vijiya could return to their respective positions in Vaikuntha after three births.

They were born as Hiranyakasipu and Hiranyaksha in Satya-yuga, Ravana and Kumbhkaran in the Treta yuga and as Sisupala and Dantavakra in the Dvapara-yuga.

The vardans Hiranyakasipu received from Lord Brahma

When the Supreme Personality of Godhead appeared as boar and killed his younger brother Hiranyaksha, Hiranyakasipu was fuming with anger. Driven by maya and ego of his powers he started causing destruction and disturbances in the ritualistic ceremonies, dharmik yajna, traditional practices dedicated to the Lord Vishnu. Blind in his rage and to deceive God he started creating chaos in the life of Brahamanas who were preaching or studying Vedas.

However, committing to such sinful activities he was somewhere well-aware of Lord Vishnu’s power. So, to achieve protection and become immortal he headed to the valley of Mandara Mountain for tapasya. He performed an intense austerity towards Lord Brahma that He had to grant him the wishes he desired.

Hiranyakasipu desired to Lord Brahma, “Grant me that I not die within any residence or outside any residence, during the day or at night, nor on the ground or in the sky. Grant me that death should not be brought by any being other than those created by you, nor by any weapon, nor by any human being or animal.” (S.B 7.3)

 How Hiranyakasipu created adharma and what happened next?

After receiving the benediction of his choice, Hiranyakasipu started establishing his powers over every corner of the world, the ten directions and the three worlds were eventually under his control. Even after becoming the conqueror of all the luxuries and control over everything, he never forgot how Lord Vishnu killed his brother.

But in the midst of the Hiranyakasipu’s opulence and sphere of material pleasures, his son Prahlada was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. Devoid of any earthly desires, he was always dedicated towards his devotion. We can learn about Bhakta Prahlada’s relationship with Lord Vishnu in S.B 7.4.41 -

“Sometimes, feeling the touch of the Lord’s lotus hands, he became spiritually jubilant and remained silent, his hairs standing on end and tears gliding down from his half-closed eyes because of his love for the Lord.”

When Hiranyakasipu learned about his own son’s selfless devotion to Lord Vishnu, he got very angry and started to boast about his powers.  Even when Hiranyakasipu, out of agony and dissatisfaction tried to kill Bhakta Prahlada he always ended up getting defeated by the faith of his son. Bhakta Prahlada requested from his father that the Lord is all-pervading and he should not disregard his mercy with a narcissistic ego originating from his shallow powers. When Hiranyakasipu, drenched in anger and self-pride, asked his son whether his beloved God existed in the pillars of the palace, Prahlada nodded and said, "Since God is present everywhere, He is also within the pillars of the palace."

To prove his son’s philosophy and devotion wrong, Hiranyakasipu, with all his powers, smashed the pillar with his fist. On this forceful strike, the Lord came out of the pillars with a thunderous sound.

Lord appeared in His sublime incarnation, as Lord Narsimha, as half lion and half man, to eradicate the fear of Hiranyakasipu’s demonic activities causing an imbalance of the dharma chakra. When He was standing before Hiranyakasipu, His eyes were reflecting anger and fearsomeness, shining like molten gold. His extraordinary mane, deadly teeth, and stinging, sharp tongue moved like a lethal sword. His mouth appeared like a cave of mountains, and His arms resembled the flanks of soldiers, with a broad chest and thin waist. The hair on His body was as white as the rays of the moon.

Hiranyakasipu was astonished with the vibration of Lord’s Nṛsiṁhadeva avatar and he saw death coming close to him. Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva fought with his army of asuras who came to protect the demon king Hiranyakasipu.

Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva, in the avatar of half lion and half man, picked Hiranyakasipu in His strong arms, sat on the dahleez (entrance)  and placed him in His lap. Exactly when the sun was setting, it was neither the daytime, nor the night Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva pierced Hiranyakasipu with His nails. That way, Hiranyakasipu was killed by Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva the way he desired to Lord Brahma. He wasn’t killed by any creation of the Lord, nor inside or outside the residence, not by any weapon, not in the air or water or on ground.

How Bhakta Prahlada pacified the Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva’s anger

After killing Hiranyakasipu and his huge army of demons, Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva was fuming with anger and went to sit down on Hiranyakasipu’s throne. He wanted to finish the whole world, the Lord can forgive everything but he can never forgive someone who troubles his devotees. The extremely strong and powerful Lord was glowing with full radiance and infuriated expressions. His devotees gathered around Lord Narasimha, including Lord Vishnu’s beloved Bhakta Prahlada and servants Sunanda and Kumuda, to offer their homage to the Lord and pacify His anger. Devotees of the Lord, saints, the Siddhas, the Vidyadharas, the Nagas, the Manus, the Prajapatis, the Gandharvas, the Caranas, the Yakshas, the Kimpurusha, the Vaitalikas, and the Kinnars all witnessed the act and started offering prayers to the Lord.

Even when Lord Vishnu’s constant companion, mother Lakshmi, was afraid to come near Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva and He continued to be in a very angry state then Lord Brahma asked Bhakta Prahlad to pacify His anger. Bhakta Prahlada effortlessly appeared infront of the Lord and offered Him respectful obeisances at His lotus feet, and requested for the shelter of the mercy.  Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva, being affectionate towards Bhakta Prahlada, accepted his prayers and blessed him.

When a devotee is free from fear of material existence and his ultimate goal in life becomes attaining the position of becoming servant of the Lord those souls achieve the mercy of Lord. As Srila Prabhupada states in His book, Krsna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead-

“A devotee is never afraid of death or of changing his body; his consciousness is transformed into Kṛṣṇa consciousness, and even if he does not go back to Godhead, even if he transmigrates to another material body, he has nothing to fear.”

Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva looks after His devotees

Lord Brahma stated that the power and potency of the Lord are unlimited and can never be polluted by material energy. He is dedicated to create, maintain and annihilate the universe to establish dharma. Lord Shiva explained, “Lord Vishnu is affectionate towards His devotees, and He protects everyone who surrenders themselves in the love of devotion, just like Bhakta Prahlada.”

When you offer your prayers to the Lord Narasimha, He removes the darkness and fear from your hearts. His greatness, and mercy of His lotus feet can be explained by this verse compiled by Sridhara Maharaj.

“vāg-īśā yasya vadane lakṣmīr yasya ca vakṣasi

yasyāste hṛdaye saḿvit taḿ nṛsiḿham ahaḿ bhaje”

In His mouth the goddess Suddha-Sarasvati is always present, on His chest Laksmi-devi always resides, and within His heart special affection for His devotees is always manifest – I worship that Nṛsiṁhadeva.

As an everyday ritual Narasimha Aarti is sung in every Hare Krishna Temple twice a day (in morning and evening). In Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir, Narasimha Yagna is performed everyday to remove the obstacles in Bhakti. You can come and participate in this yagna on your special day.

Narasimha Chaturdashi is celebrated on the 14th day of the bright half of Vaishakh month. It is the auspicious appearance day of Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva and this day also celebrates the devotion and faith of Bhakta Prahlada. The festivities are dedicated to highlight the peace and fearlessness you can attain in the shelter of His lotus feet, by entirely surrendering yourself to Him.

You can participate in the celebrations of Narasimha Chaturdashi by participating in the chanting Hare Krishna Mahamantra, special discourses on the devotion of Bhakta Prahlada, lectures on spiritual texts. You can offer the prayers to Lord Narasimha and contribute to book distribution, gau seva and anndan seva.